Supporting stand and control switch for electric irons



Aug. 14. 1928.

' M. REYNOLDS SUPPORTING STAND AND CONTROL SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC IRONS Original Filed Dec. 22. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

M. A. REYNOLDS V SUPPORTING STAND AND CONTROL SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC IRONS Aug. 14, 1928. 1,681,132

Original Filed Dec. 22, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WITNESS: m, a I I ATTORNEY Aug. 14. 1928. 1,681,132

M. A. REYNOLDS SUPPORTING STAND AND CONTROL SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC IRONS Original Filed Dec. 22. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES HERTON A. REYNOLDS, OF AUBURN, MAINE.

SUPPORTING STAND AND CONTROL SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC Ibo Application filed December 22, 1925, Serial No. 77,051. Renewed June 27, 1928.

This invention relates to control devices for electric irons and has for its object the provision of a novel stand upon which the iron may be placedwhen not in actual use, the stand being rovided internally with a control switch w ereby current to the iron will be cut off while the iron is .resting upon the stand, the switch closin automatically when the iron is removed from the stand so that heating of the iron will be effected while it is in actual use.

An important object of the invention is to provide a stand of this character which is provided with means whereby the heat radiating from the iron resting thereon will be conserved and reflected back to the iron instead of being permitted to become dissipated in the atmosphere, the iron consequently remaining hot for a prolonged period.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stand of this character equipped internally with a novelly constructed switch actuated by the weight of the iron upon the stand, the switch embodying various peculiar structural characteristics whereby there will be a very rapid or quick make and break of the circuit so as to avoid undue sparking and consequent burning away or pitting of the contacts forming part of the switch.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the conducting-cord to the iron or the iron itself may be equipped with a tell-tale lamp which will be energized when current is fed to the iron so as to give a visible indication as to whether or not current is flowing, the tell-tale lamp being of benefit not only for demonstrating purposes but also to indicate a failure of current or a derangement of the switch mechanism.

A minor object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having a base ofsuch construction or form that when the device is placed upon an ironing board or other support it will remain in one position and not slide about as occurs in the use of ordinary types of supports.

WVith the, above and other objects and advantages in View such as simplicity and ease in construction and operation,'efliciency and durability in service, and a general improve ment of the art, the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts and the detail structure to be hereinafter more fully described and preferably clalmed, and illustratedin the accompanymg drawings, in which F gure 1 is a side elevation of the supporting stand wlth an electric iron resting thereon, the conducting cord and plug for. the iron. being equipped with a tell-tale lamp.

F lgure 2 is :a perspective View of the support wlth an 1ron placed diagonallythereon so as to be supported without operating the current cutoff switch;

F1gure 3 is a top plan view of the support with a portion broken away.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section, the swltch mechanism being shown in side elevation, this view illustrating the position of the parts when the iron is removed.

Figure is a view quite similar to Figure 4 lllustratmg how the insulating lining for the top plate rises therewith upon removal of the iron from the stand or support.

Flgure 6 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the device and through the entire switch mechanism so as to illustrate the details of construction of the latter.

F gure 7 is a similar view taken along a circuit breaking position.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the actuating arm of the switch mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown the device as comprising a base member 1 which is formed preferably, though not necessarily, as a metal stamping provided with adownturned peripheral bead 2 of such form as to be capable of having more or less of a biting action upon the surface on which it is placed so that the entire support will remain at the desired location and not slip about as is a common fault with most varieties.

Suitably secured upon the top of this base member 1 and preferably toward one end portion thereof, is a box-like casing 3 which in the present instance is represented as provided at its lower or open end with outwardly directed lugs or attaching elements 4 through which pass the securing bolts 5 or the like which operate'to mount the casing different plane and showing the switch in a upon the base. Obviously, any equivalent .welding, is a tray-like support 7 which preferably, though not necessarily, of the same general size and shape as the base member 1. In actual practice the base member 1 and the supporting tray member 7 may slgned' specia able have a contour corresponding to a greater or less extent to the shape of a conventional electric iron indicated by the letter A.

Located within the tray-like support and normally resting upon the. bottom thereof is a sheet 8 of insulating material such as asbestos, this sheet being preferably imperforate and supporting a second sheet 9 which is preferably, though probably not necessarily, provided with a plurality 'of holes 10 here represented as circular in shape. Located also within the tray-like support above the upper sheet 9 of the heat insulating'material is a supportin plate 11 con structed preferably of speciafiy treated steel. The supporting tray member 7 is provided with an n standing peripheral flange 12 which has its upper edge rolled inwardly and downwardly to provide a retaining bead 13 which will operate to prevent the plate 11 from disengagement from the tray-like support. On account of the shape above? mentioned, one end of the tray-like support is comparatively wide whereas the other end tapers practicaly to a point. The wider end or rather the upstandin flange 12 at the wider end is formed wit an elongated slot 14 through which the sheets 8 and 9 of asbestos or-othermaterial, together with the plate 11, may be inserted into place --within the tray-like support. This detail is one relating only to t 0 actual manufacture and assembling of the device.

The casing member 3 contains a switch device indicated generally by the numeral 15, and the underside of the top'of the casing member 3 is provided with a lining 16 of asbestos or other heat insulatin material. Wh ile it is conceivable that iiferent t of switch devices might be .used, I have isclosed a slpecific structure which is dey forthe-purpose and which will be of manifest advantage for reasons to be hereinafter pointed out. This switch device comprises an enclosing body 17 of suitinsulating material, such'as porcelain or the like, which body is closed at its bottom as shown at 18 and open at its top, the open side or top being secured against-the underside of the top of the casingmember 3 as by means. of bolts 19. The entire switch mechanism is mounted within the body 17 andincludes a stationarily mounted bracket 20 carrying a transverse pivot pin 21 upon which are pivotally engaged spaced upstandingears 22 formed at the central portionof an operat-ing'arm structure23 which has one end formed with a seat or socket 24 and its other end'bifurcated at 25 to provide spaced curved arrns'26.

Projecting from opposite sides of the bracket 20 are trunnions 27 upon which are rockably engaged the arms 28 of a U-shapedmember 29 of yoke-like form. capable of swinging in opposite directions, the degree of movement being limited by means of steps 30 depending from the bracket member 20. Figure 6 shows one limit of movement while Figure 7 shows the other limit. The operating arm member 23 is provided with spaced depending lug-like extensions 31 provided with notches 32 within which are engaged trunnions 33 projecting from opposite sides of a saddle member 34 of socket-like form slotted for the passage of a guide rod or bar 35 which carries a socketlike abutment'member 36 and which has a reduced extension 37 extending through a suitable opening in the bight portion of the U-shaped member 29. A coil spring 38 surrounds'the rod or bar member 35 and engages against the saddle member 34 and the abutment member 36. The engagement of the extension 37 within the slotor opening in the bight portion of the U-shaped member 29 is such as to permit relative rock- "ing movement so as not to interfere with the swinging of the U-shaped member in one direction or the other into engagement with the depending stop 30 carried by the bracket. Secured upon and insulated from one arm of the U-shaped member '29 is an elongated movable contact arm 39 having its end portion preferably of forked formation for engagement with stationary contacts 40 and 41 suitably mounted within the body 17. The operating arm ofthe switch has its socket portion 24 at one end receiving and accommodating one end of a coil spring 42 which has its other end seating within a socket '43 at one end of an angular bracket 44 secured within the body- 17 as clearly indicated in Figures 6 and 7. acts tomaintain the operating arm normally in such position that the movable contact 39 will bridge the contacts 40 and 41.

p The means here shown for throwing the switch into open position comprises a push button 45 slidable through registerin" holes in the insulating sheets 8 and 9, the bottom portion of the tray-like support 7, the top supporting bracket 20. The spring 42 above described has suflicient strength or tension to maintain the operating arm 23 insuch position that the push button 45 will be elevated so as to hold the plate 11 in its uppermost position against the stophead 13 at the top of the supporting tray.

This spring In the actual use of the device it is intended that the switch device be interposed in one of the leads or conductors connected with the electric iron so that it will be necessary for the switch to be closed in order that current may be supplied to the iron. Figures l and 2 and also 9 and 10 show the iron A as provided with the usual terminals B located within a metal shield 0 within which is detachably engageable the usual plugD carried by the so-called cord or flexible conductors which supply current to the iron. There is of course no novelty in this feature though it is included for the purpose of '11- lustrating how the electrical connections to the switch are made. The so-called cord of course includes two separate conductors one of which connects directly with the plug E intended to be screwed into an electric light socket, and the other of which has the switch interposed therein.

In the actual operation, it will be seen that under normal circumstances the spring within the switch will act to hold the push button and plate 11 in elevated position, the switch being consequently closed so that current will be fed to the electric iron. At his time the iron will of course be heated as it is used or in case it be set upon the support transversely thereof so as not to depress the plate 11. When the iron is not being used it is intended that it be set upon the plate 11, as'shown in Figure 1, whereupon the weight will act to. depress the push button 45 and swing the operating. arm 23 of the switch device so that the movable arm 39 of the switch will be swung out of engagement with the contacts 40 and 41, thus breaking the circuit so that no current can pass to the iron while it is resting upon the stand. It will be observed that owing to the provision of the peculiarly treated steel plate 11 and the arrangement thereof with respect to the insulating sheets 8 and 9 the heat tending to radiate from the lower portion of the iron will be reflected back to the iron instead of being permitted to become dissipated in the atmosphere, the

'iron consequently remaining hot for a long time. There seems to be some sort of suction effect produced between the plate 11 and the insulating sheets 8 and 9 inasmuch as it has been discovered that after'the iron has been resting upon the plate 11 and is then lifted oif the insulating sheets will rise with the plate 11, as shown in Figure 5. Regardless of this detail it is quite clear that an actual experiment has proved that the heat is conserved instead of being wasted. Whenever the iron is removed from the support or stand the switch will be automatically returned to circuit closing position so that the iron will be additionall heated.

In Figures 1 and 2 I have il ustrated an additional refinement in the way of an auxiliary device or indicating means here or conductors adjacent the plug D. The

member 48 carries asuitable socket 49 within which is mounted an incandescent lamp 50 connected in parallel with the heating coil,

not shown, of the iron, so that whenever-the current is supplied to the iron the tell-tale lamp 50 will be energized and give a visible indication thereof. Conversely, if the current is out 01f or if the switch device is out of order, so that current cannot flow, the deenergization of the lamp 50 will indicate thesame sothat the operator will be ap prised of the unnatural conditions. This feature is also of great importance in demonstrating the iron to prospective purchasers as the energization and deenergization of the lamp will disclose the actual conditions which exist. 7

It is of course to be understood that the use of this tell-tale lamp is optional and it also might be mentioned that the conductor 01' cord equipped with the'plug and the telltale lamp might be used in connection with an electric iron irrespective of the use of the stand or support.

Fromthe foregoing description and a study of the drawings, it will'be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed, inexpensive and highly eflicient and durable device for the purpose specified and one which should perform all the functions for which it isintended, and possess unusual durability owing to the comparative fewness of the parts and the particular ar-' rangement and combination thereof. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have. shown and described the preferred, embodiment of the invention, it should be understood thatI reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. An electric iron supporting stand including a. base member, a casing mounted thereon, a tray-like support mounted on the casing, a movable plate mounted within said tray-like support, a control switch mounted within said casing aiid embodying stationary contacts interposed in one of the leads to the the bottom of the tray-like supporting member and arranged in engagement beneath said plate whereby-the weightof'an iron upon the plate will operate to throw the switch into circuit breaking position.

2. An electric iron supporting stand including a base member, a casing mounted thereon, a tray-like support mounted on the casing, a movable plate mounted within-said tray-like support, a control swltch mounted -within said casing and embodying stationary contacts interposed in one of the leads to the electric iron and further including a movable contact arm normally bridging said contacts for making the circuit to the iron continuous, an operating means for the switch including a push button slidably mounted through the top of the casing and the bottom of the tray-like supporting member and arranged in engagement beneath 'said plate wherebythe weight of an-,iron

upon the plate will operate to throw the switch into circuit breaking position,means for preventing disassociatlon of the plate with respect to the tray-like supporting a member, and a plurality of sheets of heat insulating 'material mounted beneath sa id plate.

contacts for making the circuit to the iron means for the continuous, an operating b 1d b1 utton si a y switch includin a pus mounted throug the top of the casing and the bottom of the tray-like supporting member and arranged in engagement beneath said plate whereby the weight of an iron upon the plate will operate to .throw the switch into circuit breaking position, means for preventing disassociation of the plate with respect to the tray-like supporting member, and a plurality of sheets of heat insulating material mounted beneath said plate, the uppermost of said sheets being provided with a plurality of openings.

4. An electric iron supporting stand including a base member, a casing mounted thereon, a tray-like support mounted on the casing, a movable plate mounted within said tray-like support, a control switch mounted Within said casing and embodying stationary contacts interposed in one of the leads to theelectric iron and further including a movable contact arm normally bridging said contacts for making the circuit to the iron continuous, an operating means forthe switch includin a push button slidably mounted throng the top of the casing and the bottom ofthe tray-like supportin member and arranged in engagement neath said plate whereby the weight of the iron upon the platewill operate to throw the switch intocircuit breaking position, means for preventing disassociation of the plate with respect to the tray-like supporting member, a plurality of sheets of heat insulating material mounted beneath said plate, said base member having a downturned .peripheral .flangefor gripping the surface upon which the base is placed to prevent sli ping and sliding.

n testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MEBTON A. REYNOLDS. 

